All fish / Cobitidae

Cinnamon Loach

Pangio pangia

Also known as cinnamon kuhli loach, pangia loach, chocolate kuhli, brown kuhli loach, cinnamon kuhli, パンギオ・パンギア, 肉桂蛇仔鱼

A small, eel-shaped loach with a plain cinnamon to chocolate brown body and no bands, unlike the striped kuhli loaches. It is kept for its peaceful nature and its habit of sifting through soft sand, and it does well in planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and other small frozen or live foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar (Ganges and Brahmaputra basins)

Breeding

It scatters eggs, usually among fine plants, and has only rarely been bred in home aquariums. Most fish on sale are caught in the wild.

Good to know

It needs soft sand and plenty of hiding places, and it will escape through small gaps or slip into filter intakes. Several other plain brown Pangio species are sold under the same name.